PSC - Minutes - 09-25-14
The mission of Public Safety CONNECTIONS is to:
• Serve as a community “think tank” and “information clearinghouse” on ways to prevent crime
and to combat drugs and alcohol abuse;
• Develop and promote positive and wholesome recreational activities and community service
opportunities for young people and their families;
• Coordinate with organizations that address human and social services needs to promote a
healthy community; and
• Promote and encourage emergency preparedness by all community members.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER – 6:04 p.m. by Jeff Allred. Excused: Bill Alarcon, Sandra Armenta and David
Montgomery-Scott
Community Representatives Present
Lena Woo, Asian Pacific Family Center
Steve Rivera, Evergreen Baptist Church
Gregory Banuelos, First Open Bible Church of Rosemead
Elizabeth Martinez, Republic Services
Chau Tran, Rosemead Buddhist Monastery
Ron Esquivel, Rosemead School District
Joe Basile, Rosemead Resident
Jenni Lee-Kim, Pasadena City College
Brian Lewin, Rosemead Residents and Beautification Member
Gerardo Navarro-Salgado, LA County Probation Department
City Representatives Present
Jeff Allred, City Manager
Lt. Somoano, LASD
Sgt. Moreno, LASD
Oscar Gutierrez, Probation Officer
Michael Reyes, Public Safety Department
Mandy Wong, Public Safety Department
Nancy Eng, Planning Commissioner
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Jeff Allred
1. INTRODUCTIONS/WELCOME
2. MINUTES – August 28, 2014
There was a motion by Lt. Somoano and a second by Gregory Banuelos to approve the Public Safety
CITY OF ROSEMEAD
PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM
REGULAR MEETING
ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER
8301 GARVEY AVENUE
EOC ROOM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014
ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES
March 27, 2014
CONNECTIONS Forum minutes for August 28, 2014. Minutes were unanimously approved as amended.
3. SIGNIFICANT LAW ENFORCEMENT INCIDENTS
Lt. Somoano provided an updated crime report including the following:
• Resident sprayed deputy with a garden hose near the 900 block of Bentel.
• A gentleman was assaulted with a bat at Rosemead Park possibly involving the El Monte Flores
gang.
• A stabbing occurred on September 2nd. The victim was assaulted by daughter. Injuries were not life
threatening.
• A neighbor called in possible drug activities at the 3400 block of Twin Avenue. On September 4th, the
Asian Gang Task Force did a search warrant and found ecstasy, meth, and guns.
• September 3rd, received a call regarding a home burglary was in progress. A subsequent chase
resulted in a traffic collision at the corner of Lower Azusa and Encinita. No one sustained serious
injuries. Suspects were taken into custody.
• A home invasion occurred on September 7th at 1:00 AM in Rosemead. A family was tied up by an
armed suspect. The investigation is ongoing.
• A crime tip helped lead deputies to a Rosemead motel where suspects were selling drugs.
• Child annoyance at Rosemead High School. Suspect approached a student.
• In comparison, to last year robbery is down 18%, resident burglaries are down 10%. Overall, crime
had increased by 15%.
• An increase in general theft (car break-in), shoplifting, bicycle theft, and miscellaneous theft, and all
are related to drug use.
• The Community Area Watch meetings are well attended. In Area 8 at Temple Intermediate School
there were 50 in attendance. The most important message conveyed at the meetings is for
residents to call Temple Station when they see any suspicious activity.
• Deputies did several compliance checks on Rosemead Place, and found no violations.
• Substance abuse/drugs are the underlying cause for most crime in the community.
4. REPUBLIC SERVICES BIKE GIVE-A-WAY
Elizabeth Martinez shared with CONNECTIONS members that Republic Services’ Community Outreach
efforts include a Bike Program. Old bikes donated by the community are refurbished and donated back to
the community. Currently, there are 50 refurbished bikes for donation. There are no criteria at this time and
if CONNECTIONS members know of a kid that may benefit from a bike to contact Elizabeth Martinez at
e3martinez@republicservices.com.
5. 6TH ANNUAL SAN GABRIEL VALLEY YOUTH SUMMIT 2015
Lena Woo shared that Garvey Intermediate School is the venue for the 2015 Youth Summit scheduled
for March 7. The Youth Summit provides an opportunity for 6-12th grade students to learn about
leadership, communication, law enforcement efforts, cultural sensitivity issues and much more.
If any CONNECTIONS members are interested or know anyone that may be interested in being a
workshop presenter and/or having a resource booth should contact Lena at lewoo@pacificlinics.org
.
6. NAMI EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS
October is Mental Illness Awareness Week. Mental Illness is very common and treatable. Nancy Eng
shared that awareness is important and that NAMI provides mental illness education and advocacy.
ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES
March 27, 2014
They offer a series of mental illness educational programs the second Wednesday of each month.
To celebrate awareness, this year’s NAMI Walk is scheduled on October 11. It is a fundraiser in support
of efforts to bring awareness through community-wide educational programs. To donate to the NAMI
walk or for more information on the educational programs, contact Nancy at autumn818@hotmail.com.
7. LOS ANGELES COUNTY’S COUNTY-WIDE EXERCISE DRILL
Mandy Wong shared that 88 cities in the Los Angeles County will participate in the Operational Area
Exercise drill on October 22nd. The drill will focus on emergency communication when traditional
methods fail after an Earthquake on the San Andreas’ Fault resulting in moderate to severe damage to
cities. The drill will give cities the opportunity to review Communication Plans and to consider other
methods of communication.
City of Rosemead staff will participate in the activation of the City’s Emergency Operations Center and
CoRECT (City of Rosemead Emergency Communication Team) members will also be involved.
In addition, Mandy mentioned that the Great ShakeOut is October 16. This is a good time to review and
practice your own family emergency plan and update your family emergency survival kit. At 10:16 a.m.
everyone is encourage to practice “Duck, Cover, and Hold On” as if an earthquake is occurring.
8. RED RIBBON WEEK
Lt. Somoano shared that Red Ribbon Week is October 27-31. The Public Safety staff and Rosemead
Special Assignment Deputies will be visiting local schools during their Red Ribbon Assemblies. If any
agencies would like to invite the deputies to talk to kids, please contact Mandy Wong at (626) 569-2168
or mwong@cityofrosemead.org.
9. DISCUSSION OF CONFLICTING MEETING DATES FOR NOVEMBER 27 AND DECEMBER 25, 2014
Jeff mentioned that the two remaining scheduled CONNECTIONS meetings on November 27 is
Thanksgiving Holiday and December 25 is Christmas. If no objections from the CONNECTIONS
members that we cancelled the November 27 and December 25 due to the holidays and resume on
January 29, 2015.
It was unanimously agreed by CONNECTIONS members’ presence at the meeting to cancel the
November 27 and December 25, 2014 meetings and resume on January 29, 2015.
10. BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jenni Lee-Kim from Pasadena City College (PCC) shared about the variety of classes offered at the
Rosemead facility. In addition, for PCC to better serve Rosemead, she asked if we could review and
complete the survey of classes offered.
Ron Esquivel invited members to a Red Ribbon Week Celebration as the Rosemead School District will
kick-off Red Ribbon week with a Run/Walk on October 25, 8 to noon, at Janson Elementary School. For
more information, contact Ron at rejn316@earthlink.net.
.
Nancy Eng stated the City of Rosemead is working on a mixed used project that includes single family
homes on Garvey Avenue. The Garvey Specific Plan meeting will be held on October 22 to further
discuss the project.
ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES
March 27, 2014
Brian Lewin is a member of the Rosemead Beautification Committee. He shared that upcoming events
include Christmas decoration awards and a clean-up project scheduled for October 18. For more
information on the events, contact Brian at kisenosato@gmail.com.
Lena Woo shared that Asian Pacific Family Center offers Parenting Classes in Vietnamese and
Cantonese. Currently the agency is looking to hire a Cantonese speaker to teach the parenting class (10
hours per week). For more information, contact Lena at lewoo@pacificlinics.org.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
The next CONNECTIONS Forum is scheduled for Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the Public
Safety Center.